Scientology

Getty Images/Getty Images

News about Scientology, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Jun. 3, 2015

Frederick County Council in Maryland rejects effort to put fishing retreat known as Trout Run on register of historic places in area, which paves way for drug rehabilitation center tied to Church of Scientology to be constructed on site. MORE

May. 21, 2015

Plan by Narconon, drug-treatment program with ties to Church of Scientology, to convert cluster of rustic cabins in Frederick County, Md, into group home has drawn opposition from community; conversion plan can proceed if cabins, in area known as Trout Run, are added to local list of historic places, prompting some to take unusual step of arguing against designation. MORE

Feb. 24, 2015

Joe Nocera Op-Ed column faults Alex Gibney HBO documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief for failing to fully address way church has harassed reporters in attempt to silence them; notes that church's efforts at intimidation of its critics have eased off in recent years, in part because it seems to have focused on persecuting people who have left the church instead. MORE

Jan. 16, 2015

Church of Scientology mounts campaign against Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, new HBO documentary by Alex Gibney that documents history of church and renegades who left it; takes out advertisements raising questions about Gibney's journalistic integrity; controversy makes it likely that program will receive a wider audience. MORE

Feb. 6, 2013

Church of Scientology airs Super Bowl commercial in an effort to soften its message following months of mounting accusations over the treatment of its members. MORE

Jan. 3, 2013

Author Lawrence Wright has received threats from prominent Scientologists and lawyers representing the church despite the fact that his latest book Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, & the Prison of Belief is not a condemnation of their religion but rather thoughtful and well-researched exploration. MORE

Sep. 6, 2012

Vietnamese government is treating some people exposed to Agent Orange, defoliant sprayed by American troops during the Vietnam War, using a detoxification method developed by the founder of the Church of Scientology, L Ron Hubbard; about 300 people from the northern province of Thai Binh have passed through the program, which involves taking vitamins and minerals, performing strenuous exercise and sweating in a sauna, among other activities. MORE

Jul. 8, 2012

Divorce for Scientologists can be a long and difficult process, according to several former members of the church; couples like Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, who are looking to end their marriage, are expected to find ways, through the Scientology organization, to uphold their commitments and work matters out. MORE

Apr. 22, 2012

Filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson is finishing up what will be his sixth feature film, a movie shrouded in secrecy; Anderson has declined to speak publicly about the picture, expected to be called The Master, but details suggest a story inspired by the founding of Scientology, a subject sure to cause a stir in Hollywood. MORE

{"type":"article","show_header_text":false,"header":"ARTICLES ABOUT SCIENTOLOGY","query":"(des=\"SCIENTOLOGY\" or des=\"CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY\" or org=\"Scientology\" or org=\"CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY\") and tom!=\"Caption\" and tom!=\"Correction\" and tom!=\"List\" and tom!=\"Paid Death Notice\" and dsk!=\"Society\"","search_query":"(subject:\"SCIENTOLOGY\" OR subject:\"CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY\" OR organizations:\"Scientology\" OR organizations:\"CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY\") AND -type_of_material:\"Caption\" AND -type_of_material:\"Correction\" AND -type_of_material:\"List\" AND -type_of_material:\"Paid Death Notice\" AND -news_desk:\"Society\"","num_search_articles":"15","show_summary":true,"show_byline":true,"show_pub_date":true,"hide_thumbnails":false,"show_kicker":false,"show_title":false,"show_related_topics":true,"show_rad_links":true,"show_subtopics":true,"exclude_topics":"SCIENTOLOGY;CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY","more_on_header":"MORE ON SCIENTOLOGY AND:","alternate_index_subidx":"","show_thumbnails":true}

The Frederick County Council voted 6 to 1 against placing a fishing retreat on a local register of historic places, making it unlikely that a drug rehabilitation program with ties to the Church of Scientology will be opened.